Antiquities and architecture
The term ‘antiquities’ refers to artefacts from ancient history or ‘antiquity’, i.e. the civilisations of Ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt and other Eastern cultures.
In terms of architecture, antiquities can be said to be the styles of classical architecture that stemmed from those ancient civilisations and those dating later that were influenced by them. Although there are a wide range of classical architectural styles - and some such as the Gothic style, which are sometimes classed as classical and sometimes not – they all conform to common ‘vocabulary’ of decorative and constructive elements.
The Carolingian Renaissance of the late-8th and 9th centuries is regarded as the starting point for the reintroduction of the forms of classical antiquity into Western architecture.
Classical architecture styles would dominate the built environment from the Italian Renaissance, which saw the demise of the Gothic style. During this period, architects drew renewed inspiration from studying ancient Roman buildings and from Vitruvius’ treatise ‘De Architectura’; and in so doing, revived the architectural language of antiquity which would dominate until the 20th-century and the era of Modernism.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Architecture.
- Architectural styles.
- Classical orders in architecture.
- Classical Revival style.
- Elements of classical columns.
- Genius loci.
- Italian Renaissance revival style.
- Palladian architecture.
- Roman Classical orders in architecture.
- The architectural profession.
- The origins of perspective.
- Vernacular architecture.
Featured articles and news
BSRIA Statutory Compliance Inspection Checklist
BG80/2025 now significantly updated to include requirements related to important changes in legislation.
Shortlist for the 2025 Roofscape Design Awards
Talent and innovation showcase announcement from the trussed rafter industry.
OpenUSD possibilities: Look before you leap
Being ready for the OpenUSD solutions set to transform architecture and design.
Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2025
Highlighting the continuing threat to trades persons.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Now available in Arabic and Chinese aswell as English.
The context, schemes, standards, roles and relevance of the Building Safety Act.
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.